Planting & CareThe next time you buy a fresh pineapple to eat, make sure to choose one that’s evenly ripe, with a nice healthy set of green leaves at the top. Avoid ones that are overripe or that have dead or sick-looking leaves.

Sunlight: Full sun

Soil: well-drained

Water: Medium

Temprature: 68°F

Fertilizer: Apply any organic fertilizer

Care:

Spread 2 to 6 inches of mulch such as shredded bark around the plants to suppress weeds and keep the soil cool and moist.

Bark also helps maintain the proper soil pH.

To prevent stem rot, keep the mulch at least 8 inches from the plant.

Special Feature:Where winter hardy, grow in beds, borders, cottage gardens or herb gardens. In St. Louis, grow as an annual or in containers that may be overwintered indoors. Flowers may be used as a garnish, or may be added to fruit cocktails or salads.UseOrnamental use:

Once you get your pineapple home, your first step will be to slice the crown off the fruit.

The crown is the leafy part on the top of the pineapple.

Be sure to carefully remove all of the fleshy part of the pineapple fruit before you attempt to plant it so that you will avoid rot when you plant it.